Im currently using my PC, with a Digitrax PR3 to a DCS100 command station. Im finding that becasue the PC take too long to boot and is very slow im not using my setup much.
Eventually I will buy a hand held controller, but still prefer a PC operated system.
Im looking at teh Raspberry PI's because they are cheap, smaller and quicker than my PC, I know the JMRI system had a software update for the PI's but wondered if anyone is using a PI for a interface.
Also if i can transfer all teh files from my PC to the PI or will I have to recreate all the files on a PI.
Quote from: GWR-Kris on February 19, 2013, 11:23:19 AM
Im currently using my PC, with a Digitrax PR3 to a DCS100 command station. Im finding that becasue the PC take too long to boot and is very slow im not using my setup much.
Windows ? - if so throwing away Windows may help a lot.
Quote
Eventually I will buy a hand held controller, but still prefer a PC operated system.
Im looking at teh Raspberry PI's because they are cheap, smaller and quicker than my PC, I know the JMRI system had a software update for the PI's but wondered if anyone is using a PI for a interface.
JMRI was updated from 3.0 onwards to add ARMv5 support for the native chunks.
Quote
Also if i can transfer all teh files from my PC to the PI or will I have to recreate all the files on a PI.
All the JMRI files should transfer. Whether you can get JMRI running usably on the PI is another question - its a pretty slow device except at video and quite memory limited. On the plus side it doesn't have to run anything *but* JMRI.
http://www.raspberrypi.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=12452&p=133552 (http://www.raspberrypi.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=12452&p=133552)
may be useful
Alan
Getting JMRI running on the RPi is pretty simple. Assuming you are using the "stock" Raspbian image then:
Install java
Download and install JMRI from here: http://downloads.sourceforge.net/project/jmri/production%20files/JMRI.3.2-r21862.tgz (http://downloads.sourceforge.net/project/jmri/production%20files/JMRI.3.2-r21862.tgz)
Run JMRI.
It takes a few minutes to start JMRI the first time, but after that it runs OK.
You still need a device to interface between the RPi + JMRI and the track - a Sprog II v3 or Sprog 3 would do the trick very nicely.
You can export all the JMRI roster files etc onto the RPi as they are just XML files IIRC.
If you can run the RPi +JMRI in headless mode (and use Wiithrottle or Engine Driver on a smartphone or tablet as the controller) then it will run more smoothly as there is less overhead on the RPi.
Cheers, Mike
Bummer - beaten by another Mike :laughabovepost:
cheers guys think i might invest in one. will get more room for my soldering station too.
PI tends to take up more space than you expect because you've still got keyboard/display/wireless/powersupply/etc to plug into it all. Some carefully planned boxing might be in order.
My own preference is to use an old Netbook. Defenestrated(*) they will boot start JMRI pretty fast with a minimal Ubuntu or Debian setup. Takes less space, and even has battery backup like proper signal control systems (not that the trains are going anywhere in a power cut)
Alan
(*) ie Windows removed
Quote from: EtchedPixels on February 19, 2013, 02:07:39 PM
PI tends to take up more space than you expect because you've still got keyboard/display/wireless/powersupply/etc to plug into it all. Some carefully planned boxing might be in order.
Errrr ... running headless means you just have the RasPi, the USB power lead, the Sprogg connection ... and that's it.
Even running it as an interactive system, all you have is a flat screen (who uses CRTs these days :confused1:) which takes up very little room, as does a mouse; and keyboards can be either stacked upright when not used, or rolled up (if you have a flexi one); if you're wanting to be
really flash, get one of those tiny keyboards the size of a game controller - or can laser keyboards be used with the RasPi yet ??? Now
that's a space-saver :P
Much smaller than a NetBook :laughabovepost:
Quote from: MikeDunn on February 19, 2013, 03:34:46 PM
Errrr ... running headless means you just have the RasPi, the USB power lead, the Sprogg connection ... and that's it.
And the 2Amp power supply brick for the USB power supply.
It's not much difference even before you add a screen - add a screen and my netbook wins - uses less power too and is cheaper to run :P than a pi.
It's a pity Sprog III doesn't support USB OTG or you'd be able to use one of the USB stick sized Android dongles like the MK808. Maybe the Sprog IV should just have a Rockchip A9 or similar built in and just run JMRI itself 8)
Certainly in O Gauge we are the point you could just install a full wireless internet capable mini Unix box in each loco and stuff DCC entirely 8)
Alan
Quote from: EtchedPixels on February 19, 2013, 03:56:43 PM
Certainly in O Gauge we are the point you could just install a full wireless internet capable mini Unix box in each loco and stuff DCC entirely 8)
I like this idea a lot!
Quote from: EtchedPixels on February 19, 2013, 03:56:43 PM
Quote from: MikeDunn on February 19, 2013, 03:34:46 PM
Errrr ... running headless means you just have the RasPi, the USB power lead, the Sprogg connection ... and that's it.
And the 2Amp power supply brick for the USB power supply.
Alan
Hi
I disagree there, my Pi has been running quite happily on a 700ma Blackberry charger.
Cheers
Paul
Quote from: PaulCheffus on February 19, 2013, 06:46:16 PM
Quote from: EtchedPixels on February 19, 2013, 03:56:43 PM
Quote from: MikeDunn on February 19, 2013, 03:34:46 PM
Errrr ... running headless means you just have the RasPi, the USB power lead, the Sprogg connection ... and that's it.
And the 2Amp power supply brick for the USB power supply.
I disagree there, my Pi has been running quite happily on a 700ma Blackberry charger.
Exactly ...
Got all the bits now a 512mb Pi, 16GB SD Card etc. Will give this a try tonight and see what its like,
Not getting far with this, had to use my PC to download the JMRI but it wont extract the files and install. anyone got any how tos as im scratching my head now.
What format is the archive, and what are you using to extract it ?
You need to set up your Pi first and get that working. There are plenty of guides via the R Pi site/forum.
Then have a look in the JMRIusers Yahoo group.
Basically install Java via apt-get.
In command line do Startx and open up the Pi's browser (midori?).
Download and extract JMRI on the Pi. Run PanelPro or DecoderPro
You will need some basic knowledge of Linux to get started, but all the info is out there on the web.
PS you shouldn't be downloading JMRI on your PC.
Cheers, Mike
Alternatively if that scares you :no: then you might want to try this script: https://github.com/proffalken/JMR-Pi
Cheers, Mike
Quote from: red_death on March 08, 2013, 02:27:07 PM
You need to set up your Pi first and get that working. There are plenty of guides via the R Pi site/forum.
Then have a look in the JMRIusers Yahoo group.
Basically install Java via apt-get.
In command line do Startx and open up the Pi's browser (midori?).
Download and extract JMRI on the Pi. Run PanelPro or DecoderPro
You will need some basic knowledge of Linux to get started, but all the info is out there on the web.
PS you shouldn't be downloading JMRI on your PC.
Cheers, Mike
will give it another go tonight I installed the Raspian software thats all running. but for some reason when i go to the JMRI site it wont allow me to dowload the linux software. SO i basically downloaded it to the PC and copied it across.
The java i did that as well using 1.8.0 and that worked as i used it to run a minecraft server.
Quote from: red_death on March 08, 2013, 02:27:07 PM
PS you shouldn't be downloading JMRI on your PC.
Why :confused2:
If the RasPi isn't set up for internet access, how do you suggest he gets JMRI ?
Because really you want to be a) learning how to do things on Linux and b) you really need the Pi to be connected to the web (at least during set up) so that you can most easily get updates (for the Pi) and the right versions of things.
Not sure why you would *not* have the Pi connected to the web when you were setting it up...
I agree re learning about Linux - but that is more a 'this is the preferred way' rather than the 'thou must' your original post implied. I was curious if there was a 'must' reason (not being a Linux neophyte let alone an expert ... !). I am still of the opinion that JMRI for the RasPi can be d/loaded via a PC though; not heard anything opposing that.
As to the 'net connection - well, if the OP doesn't have a wireless dongle for the RasPi and it's a problem to locate a RasPi setup (screen etc) to where the router is ... That's the situation I have (but it will be resolved when I get around to buying more kit for the RasPi; maybe next month). It's not insurmountable - but it is a lot of aggro (and, truth be told, is a large part of why my RasPi is mainly sitting in my study and is not controlling a layout yet).
Mike
right just an update have install java from http://jdk8.java.net/fxarmpreview/index.html (http://jdk8.java.net/fxarmpreview/index.html)
and have managed to unzip the jmri package. but now It wont seen to work in the RPi interface. As im new to RPi and Linux unless something is written down do a b c etc I got lost if something is wrong. as there is currently no one source of information about this.
oh ignore me lol. sorted it now.
Ok, I'm bumping this cos I'm getting desperate.
On my pi I've installed raspbian, run the terminal and installed Git etc.
As expected, the script gave me an IP address and port to log Ito a vnc viewer.
Here's the problem: my vnc viewer on the iPad just won't do anything other than time out. Vnc viewer works for other connections/machines.
I'm no expert in vnc or Linux for that matter so any offerings will b appreciated.
Cheers
Kirky
Do I have this right ...
You have the RasPi working fine with VNC from eg a Windows box, but your VNC app for iPad fails to access it ? Sounds like you need a better app ...
Personally, I'd throw away the iCostTooMuch & use Android :P
Mike
Hi Mike
Its cos of you that im in this mess! >:( if you hadn't mentioned the pi inanother post I might have just forgotten about it altogether. Thanks mate :goggleeyes:
Anyway, I must have described the problem badly.
The iPad vnc viewer works fine when connected to windoze box or my Ubuntu box. But not with the pi.
As far as I can tell, the Git etc install loads a vnc server onto the pi, doesn't it?
I have the IP address and port I need, but I'm unsure about the name I enter. Is that any name?
I'm using vnc viewer for he iPad ( which might be expensive but it's wot I have)
Cheers
Kirky
Quote from: kirky on July 31, 2013, 10:43:06 PM
Hi Mike
Its cos of you that im in this mess! >:( if you hadn't mentioned he pi I another post I might have just forgotten about it altogether. Thanks mate :goggleeyes:
Anyway, I must have described the problem badly.
The iPad vnc viewer works fine when connected to windoze box or my Ubuntu box. But not with the pi.
As far as I can tell, the Git etc install loads a vnc server onto the pi, doesn't it?
I have the IP address and port I need, but I'm unsure about the and I enter. Is that any name?
I'm using vnc viewer for he iPad ( which might be expensive but it's wot I have)
Cheers
Kirky
Hi
I had to specifically start the VNC service on my Pi. You can set the VNC service to automatically start at boot but I am at work at the moment so don't have the details of the script I used or where to put it for it to run automatically.
Cheers
Paul
Hi Paul
Thanks for that. Yes I've now got the Rpi to connect to the vnc viewer on the iPad. But when I try to connect using the IP address suggested at the end of the script from JMR-Pi then I get 'couldn't resolve on port' message. It seems the port isn't rcognised.
Cheers
Kirky
Quote from: kirky on August 01, 2013, 11:10:01 AM
Hi Paul
Thanks for that. Yes I've now got the Rpi to connect to the vnc viewer on the iPad. But when I try to connect using the IP address suggested at the end of the script from JMR-Pi then I get 'couldn't resolve on port' message. It seems the port isn't rcognised.
Cheers
Kirky
Hi
You should be using the IP address of your Pi instead of the address in the script.
Cheers
Paul
Ok, this is confusing. :dunce:
As I said, I can actually see and use the rpi via vnc. However, the install for JMR-pi clearly states that I need to use the specific IP and port. The IP generates /is/ the IP of he RPi. It's the port that is different and that isn't resolved.
I've tried this three times now and Complete new installs on different new sd cards, all resulting in the same issue. The port isn't recognised. (I know I didn't make that clear before, that's cos I hadn't realised that before!)
Do you think I should be able to see jmri on the RPi (without going through vnc)?
Thanks for your help, much appreciated.
Kirky
Quote from: kirky on August 01, 2013, 01:00:49 PM
Ok, this is confusing. :dunce:
As I said, I can actually see and use the rpi via vnc. However, the install for JMR-pi clearly states that I need to use the specific IP and port. The IP generates /is/ the IP of he RPi. It's the port that is different and that isn't resolved.
I've tried this three times now and Complete new installs on different new sd cards, all resulting in the same issue. The port isn't recognised. (I know I didn't make that clear before, that's cos I hadn't realised that before!)
Do you think I should be able to see jmri on the RPi (without going through vnc)?
Thanks for your help, much appreciated.
Kirky
Hi
Ah I've never used JMRI on a Pi so I'm in the dark regarding the scripts and I assumed that was an example. What does the port look like? Is it a number like 5550 or is it a name like TTY001?
Cheers
Paul
Yep, it's exactly like 5550.
Except it ends in a one, and the port that works, according to vnc viewer, ends in a zero. Otherwise, the same three digits.
Cheers
Kirky
Quote from: kirky on August 01, 2013, 04:56:59 PM
Yep, it's exactly like 5550.
Except it ends in a one, and the port that works, according to vnc viewer, ends in a zero. Otherwise, the same three digits.
Cheers
Kirky
Hi
Ah sorry I misunderstood the problem. So you have the Pi running JMRI and is connected to the layout but you are having problems connecting to the Pi using VNC is that correct?
I used this guide here to set my VNC service up on the Pi
http://elinux.org/RPi_VNC_Server (http://elinux.org/RPi_VNC_Server)
I can check my settings on the iPad later this evening if that would help.
Cheers
Paul
Er, not quite.
I haven't got the pi running jmri yet. The pi needs to connect via vnc before jmri can be seen, as I understand it, although that may be wrong.
I have had the pi connected to he iPad via vnc, when using raspbian.
Again, as I understand it, the point of jmri on the pi is that it only runs jmri, and the vnc server. This makes it quicker I think?
Might be worth checking out https://github.com/proffalken/JMR-Pi
Cheers
Kirky
Have you got something like Withrottle on your Ipad? In which case why bother with VNC? Just connect directly to the JMRI instance using Withrottle. You will still have to configure JMRI on the Pi (either directly or via VNC).
Cheers, Mike
Quote from: kirky on August 01, 2013, 06:11:39 PM
Er, not quite.
I haven't got the pi running jmri yet. The pi needs to connect via vnc before jmri can be seen, as I understand it, although that may be wrong.
I have had the pi connected to he iPad via vnc, when using raspbian.
Again, as I understand it, the point of jmri on the pi is that it only runs jmri, and the vnc server. This makes it quicker I think?
Might be worth checking out https://github.com/proffalken/JMR-Pi
Cheers
Kirky
Hi
The iPad should connect to the Pi on port 5901 for VNC by default and the VNC service must be running on the Pi.
What app are you using on the iPad? I use one called iSSH which also includes VNC.
Cheers
Paul
Hi Mike
Right, I'm learning as I go here, so I might be being a bit of a :dunce:
Once I have run the JMR-pi script in a raspbian terminal, how do I launch jmri within the raspbian GUI?
Cheers
Kirky
Hi Paul
That's interesting.
Yes the JMR-pi script says the port should be 5901. But that doesn't work. It works on 5900. Odd?
Kirky
Quote from: kirky on August 01, 2013, 10:03:54 PM
Hi Paul
That's interesting.
Yes the JMR-pi script says the port should be 5901. But that doesn't work. It works on 5900. Odd?
Kirky
Hi
I've just had a look at the link you sent and it looks to me like the VNC server is configured on port 5900 not 5901 as the end of the script says.
What happens when you use port 5900 from your iPad?
If you get the graphic windows like screen then I wouldn't worry too much that you are connecting on port 5900 instead of 5901.
Cheers
Paul